with Verified Solutions.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
What is the main goal of the endocrine system? ANSWER - For PHYSIOLOGIC
STABILITY (HOMEOSTASIS)
- Every cell and organ in the body is influenced by this system
What are hormones? ANSWER - The "CHEMICAL LANGUAGE" of the endocrine
system
- Natural substances
- Secreted into the bloodstream and travels through the blood to the site of action
Hypothalamus ANSWER - Part of the CNS
- MASTER
- THERMOSTAT
Pituitary Gland ANSWER - Has two lobes
- Anterior pituitary (adenohypohysis)
- Posterior pituitary (neurohypophysis)
They govern all bodily functions (hormones and negative feedback loop)
Negative Feedback Loop ANSWER - Activity of the endocrine system regulated by this
system of surveillance and signaling based on the body's needs
- Regulates hormone secretion
What are the anterior pituitary drugs? ANSWER - Cosyntopin
Somatopin
Octreotide
What are the posterior pituitary drugs? ANSWER - Vasopressin
Desmopressin
Cosyntopin (Cortosyn) ANSWER - STIMULATES RELEASE OF CORTISOL FROM
THE ADRENAL CORTEX
- Anti-inflammatory
- DIAGNOSIS OF ADRENOCORTICAL INSUFFICIENCY
- Wasting associated with human immunodeficiency virus infection
,- Promotes renal retention of SODIUM, WHICH CAN RESULT IN EDEMA AND
HYPERTENSION
Somatropin & Somatem ANSWER - Recombinantly made GROWTH HORMONE (GH)
- Stimulates skeletal growth in patients with deficient GH, such as HYPOPITUITARY
DWARFISM
Octreotide (Sandostatin) ANSWER - CARCINOID TUMORS SECRETE VIP (vasoactive
intestinal polypeptide)
- VIP causes PROFUSE, WATERY DIARRHEA
- Octreotide reduces diarrhea, flushing, and life-threatening HYPOTENSION that may
occur with a CARCINOID CRISIS
Vasopressin & Desmopressin ANSWER - Mimic the action of ANTIDIURETIC
HORMONE
- Increase WATER REABSORPTION in the distal tubules and collecting ducts of
nephrons that concentrate urine
- REDUCES WATER EXCRETION by up to 90%
- Used in treatment with DIABETES INSIPIDUS
Indications for Vasopressin ANSWER - ADH - Diabetes Insipidus
- POTENT VASOCONSTRICTOR
- HYPOTENSIVE EMERGENCIES (Vasodilatory Shock - Septic Shock)
- ADVANCES CARDIAC LIFE SUPPORT (ACLS) - PULSELESS CARDIAC ARREST
- Used to STOP BLEEDING OF ESOPHAGEAL VARICES
Indications for Desmopressin ANSWER - DDVAP
- Dose-dependent increase in the plasma levels of:
- Factor VIII (antihemophilic factor)
- Von Willebrand factor
- Tissue plasminogen activator (HELPS WITH CLOTTING)
- Management of NOCTURNAL ENURESIS
Nursing Implications (Octreotide - Sandostatin) ANSWER - - May impair
GALLBLADDER FUNCTION
- Instruct patient to report ABDOMINAL PAIN
- Use with caution on patients with RENAL impairment
- Monitor glucose levels in patients without and with diabetes
- Can be given intravenously, intramuscularly, or subcutaneously
Thyroid Gland ANSWER - Secretes 3 hormones
- Essential for proper regulation of metabolism
- Located near parathyroid gland
- Responsible for maintaining levels of calcium in the extracellular fluid
Thyroid Gland Hormones ANSWER - Thyroxine (T4)
, Triidothryonine (T3)
Calcitonin
Primary Hypothyroidism ANSWER - Abnormality in the THYROID GLAND ITSELF
Secondary Hypothyroidism ANSWER - Results when the PITUITARY GLAND is
dysfunctional and DOES NOT SECRETE TSH
Tertiary Hypothyroidism ANSWER - Results when the HYPOTHALAMUS GLAND
does not secrete thyrotropin-releasing hormone, which STIMULATES TSH RELEASE
Congenital Hypothyroidism (Cretinism) ANSWER - Hyposecretion of thyroid hormone
during YOUTH
- Low metabolic rate, retarded growth and sexual development
- Possible mental retardation
Myxedema (Hypothyroidism) ANSWER - Hyposecretion of thyroid hormone during
ADULTHOOD
- Decreased metabolic rate
- Loss of mental and physical stamina
- Weight gain
- Loss of hair
- Firm edema
- Yellow and dull skin
Goiter (Hypothyroidism) ANSWER - Enlargement of thyroid gland
- Results from overstimulation by ELEVATED LEVELS OF TSH
- TSH elevated since there is little or no thyroid hormone in circulation
Symptoms:
- Thickened skin, hair loss, constipation, lethargy, and anorexia
Hyperthyroidism ANSWER - Excessive thyroid hormones
What diseases cause hyperthyroidism? ANSWER - - GRAVES DISEASE
- Multinodular disease
- PLUMMER'S DISEASE (rare) or toxic nodular disease
- THYROID STORM (induced by stress or infection; severe and potentially life-
threatening)
Symptoms of Hyperthyroidism ANSWER - - Increase in metabolism
- DIARRHEA
- FLUSHING
- INCREASED APPETITE
- MUSCLE WEAKNESS
- SLEEP DISORDERS